Light Towers at SCG Gone

[Beaussie]

Gees I hope the AFL move this game to Telstra Stadium. The SCG Trust has been screwing the Swans for years (case in point, no compensation for the loss of thousands of seats during the footy season). Time to send a message AFL.

No SCG green light
06 April 2007 Herald-Sun
Tim Morrissey
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/ ... 42,00.html



THE SCG Trust's solution to its lighting problems for Sydney's night games could struggle to receive the AFL's tick of approval.

League ground operations manager Jill Lindsay, after meeting the SCG Trust yesterday, indicated concerns about the use of temporary lighting at the SCG remained unresolved.

That leaves the door open for the AFL to shift the SCG night game against Melbourne on April 28 across town to Telstra Stadium.

Two of the SCG's six light towers have been removed as part of the ground's $69 million redevelopment, putting night games at the ground in doubt.

This follows another unresolved issue between the SCG Trust and the Swans.

The club is demanding compensation for loss of revenue during the redevelopment, when the ground's capacity will be reduced from 43,000 to 34,500.

"What we are after is fair and reasonable compensation for the losses incurred as a direct result of the redevelopment," Swans chief executive Myles Baron-Hay said.

"We'd like it resolved sooner rather than later."

Without compensation the Swans, who made a $1.5 million net profit last year, could suffer huge financial losses in the next two years while the works are completed.

Lindsay yesterday revealed the first time anyone will see the temporary lights, which include use of a giant crane and a huge petrol generator set up on the grounds of Fox Studios next door, will be on April 21, a week before the Round 5 game against the Demons.

"That's when the lighting company involved with the consultants are going to set up the bank of lights that they're proposing to do," Lindsay said.

If the level of lighting is not up to broadcast and playing standards, there is little time to improve the situation.

And it won't impress Swans coach Paul Roos, who said he wouldn't feel comfortable about playing under the temporary lighting until the team trained in game conditions.

"I think you have to have a full dress rehearsal before you can tick them (the lights) off," Roos said. "It's like anything, you don't want to get the game and find out in the first quarter that they're not adequate."

Asked if she was happy with the answers from the SCG Trust about the league's concerns, Lindsay said: "Well, it's ongoing discussion."

It is believed that access problems to Fox Studios means the lighting company has only one shot at getting it right.

The use of the petrol generator to power the huge bank of lights that will be suspended 70m high at the southern end could cause significant problems for Channel 10, the broadcaster of the Melbourne match.

Outdoor television lighting under petrol generator power apparently causes a phasing problem during the broadcast that diminishes picture quality, especially of replays in slow motion.

Asked if the AFL could guarantee that the game would go ahead at the SCG, Lindsay was non-committal.

"Well, it's hoped that will be the case and at this point in time there's no decision for that to be altered," she said.

[Grim Reaper]

Thats great news, now we don't have to watch the Ca Swannies play anymore and maybe they might pack up and move back home to MELBOURNE!

[lescygnes]

and port can get stuffed and go back to the sanfl!

as for the scg lights, well theyre the oldest in the country and they just dont work like they once did. time they got replaced completely!

[Beaussie]

as for the scg lights, well theyre the oldest in the country and they just dont work like they once did. time they got replaced completely!

If only they could redevelop the whole ground and stands while they're at it. Facilities at the SCG are pathetic when compared with venues such as the MCG, Telstra Dome or Telstra Stadium.

[lescygnes]

hang on there sunshine! the best ground in the AFL for every facet is The Gabba here in Brisbane. the cricket nazi's killed the atmosphere during the ashes but at the AFL they dont care. the noise we have made at The Gabba as Swans fans in the last two appearances since i got back from Vancouver has been amazing. we've got quite a heap of Swans supporters up here. more of you should make the trip come August!

and please win this weekend because next week will be hell for me at work.

(but actually theyre mostly canadians and i got to rub in the Vancouver Canucks amazing playoff win today against the Dallas Stars - 18:05 in Fourth Overtime! 6th longest game in NHL history!?

[LisaJ]

Have you ever been to the MCG? that place is amazing...Docklands is also good as is Subiaco Oval...

[lescygnes]

been there? hell i grew up in melbourne.

been to subi too. not a patch on the Gabba.